On July 8, 2023, the curtain rose on the much-anticipated Audencia Summer Study Trip, hosted by the Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute, Shenzhen University. Guided by Mr. Li Lin, a group of 19 enthusiastic students embarked on a captivating 10-day academic and cultural journey to the renowned Audencia Business School. This meticulously designed program seamlessly blended English-language courses with immersive excursions, offering a holistic experience in the heart of France.
Adventure Unleashed at Audencia Business School in France: Unveiling a World of Novelty and Thrills
Audencia Business School stands as a testament to academic excellence, boasting three esteemed global accreditations: EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA. It proudly ranks among the select few elite institutions in France to receive recognition from these authoritative accrediting bodies in the field of business education. After two exciting days in France, our energetic students kicked off their studies at Audencia Business School. From July 10thto the 13th, our active students dived into action, worked on group projects, and really got into the spirit of making friends from around the world. There was a buzz of excitement as they shared knowledge, ideas, and even came up with some cool new stuff through their lively discussions. This showed just how much our students from SAFTI were brimming with enthusiasm.
Upon the successful completion of their course exams, the students were honored with the prestigious Summer Study Tripcertificate conferred by Audencia Business School. This certificate stands as a resounding tribute to the students' diligent efforts and remarkable achievements in their academic pursuits.
Reflection on Learning
Pan Jiaqing, Financial Technology, Class of 2021: The courses I had studied were related to Digital Economy and Marketing Technologies. The teachers had a solid expertise, and their teaching framework was clear. They not only provided numerous real-life cases but also guided us to think from various perspectives and at a deeper level. When we talked about the giants of China – Alibaba and Tencent, they shared stuff I never considered. Mind-blown! But it was not just the profs. It's my cool international buddies, who brought in fresh, juicy insights on the topics we're gobbling up. This journey was a total game-changer for me.
Li Ruixuan, Financial Technology, Class 1 of 2022: In the Strategic Marketing Management course, I was working in a group and that collaboration truly expanded my horizons. It really opened my eyes to the power of communication. And then, the Digital Economy course led me to discovering fundamental digital economic concepts. Mr. Li threw in some lessons about European culture, which was a nice touch to understand the cultural twists and turns.
Yan Dongning, Financial Technology, Class 1 of 2022: Nantes, the fifth-largest city in France, is pretty sweet with fine weather. During my time at Audencia Business School, we had collaborative group work with peers from around the world. We had some wild challenges, like communicating in English and racing through group tasks, but they were rewarding as well. Completing the course was truly fulfilling.
Also, I found the French to be pretty warm and friendly. If you catch their eyes, they're all like "Bonjour", which means "Hello".
Luo Xiaotong, Financial Technology, Class 1 of 2022: French mornings and evenings are cool, unlike the crazy heat back in Shenzhen. Nantes might not be the super bustling city we imagined, but the countryside views are otherwise fascinating.
The classes were like laid-back and lively hangouts. The foreign teachers and students were all about diving into topics. But what struck me the most was that class assignments here were nothing like what we did back home. The teacher dished out the task and then group discussions and presentations followed. Foreign students were super confident and open when they speak. It's seriously cool to learn from them. And our advanced tech scene back in China has left a big impression on our foreign friends.
Zheng Jiaqi, Financial Technology, Class 1 of 2022: On the first day of the Summer Study Trip, I walked into class and everyone there from around the globe was older than me and speaking English like it's nothing. I felt a bit lost, even panicked. But I wasn't going to cringe at it. I talked to the teachers, and got tips from my classmates. In the following two days, the teachers slowed down their talking and got us more involved. As for the teaching style – random group task and timed presentations, I've never seen it before but I had to get on with this game show. I had a teammate, kind of like a big sister. She helped me learn the ropes on research and sharing files. We prepared slides together, and she even took notes for me in case I zoned out. My teammates knew more than I did, but they were totally cheering me on when I said something that sounded super basic. When we saw what we'd accomplished during our presentation, it was like a magic moment.
Shen Zhiyuan, Big Data, Class 2 of 2022: Huge shoutout to the teachers and my classmates because they were like the cheerleaders I needed in this course. Their support and encouragement gave me the fuel to dive headfirst into learning and eventually be awarded the certificate. Once we were chatting about European companies in one of our classes, and I had difficulties due to culture differences. In group work I was a bit clumsy at digging up info, but I got a helping hand, and we rocked our group tasks. These experiences totally put my weaknesses in the spotlight, and let me know what to work on. Those six-hour, brain-crushing classes felt like a long march, but it was all worth it. Besides the studies, we got a taste of French culture, which was the cherry on top of this epic trip!
A French Cultural Adventure: Exploring the Charms of Nantes and Paris
In addition to their academic undertakings at the Audencia Business School in France, this study tour thoughtfully organized captivating excursions for the students in the enchanting cities of Nantes and Paris.
Nantes is blessed with a typical temperate maritime climate, characterized by pleasant warmth and humidity. It has been acclaimed as the "most livable city in Europe" and was duly honored with the prestigious "European Green Capital Award". Beyond their academic commitments, students savored the opportunity to explore renowned landmarks such as the Nantes Botanical Garden, the scenic longest river in France Loire, the inventive Machines of the Isle of Nantes, and the historically rich town of Clisson. As pioneers from their school studying in France, this journey offered them an even more vibrant appreciation and deeper insight into the captivating city of Nantes.
Upon completing their academic pursuits in Nantes, the students journeyed to the iconic city of Paris. In the City of Lights, they embarked on captivating visits to legendary French landmarks including the opulent Palace of Versailles, the splendid Champs-Élysées, the monumental Arc de Triomphe, the illustrious Louvre Museum, the awe-inspiring Eiffel Tower, and the meandering Seine River. This delightful odyssey continuously expanded their horizons and enriched their cultural experiences, allowing them to immerse themselves in the profound tapestry of French history, culture, and the enchanting rhythms of local life.
Reflections on the Study Tour
Zhao Zixin, Financial Technology, Class 1 of 2022: Nantes is a tranquil and peaceful place. Seriously, the vibe here is as easygoing as the weather, and the sunshine is awesome. People we met here were just super-friendly, and caught up on us like old friends. In class, the teachers knew solid stuff, and our buddies from abroad were like all-in for learning, and their teamwork was top-notch. I would give a shoutout to Audencia Business School for setting us up for this adventure, because I believed it had gonna make me a more all-around awesome human being.
Zhang Ruiyang, Financial Technology, Class 2 of 2022: Once we wrapped up the whole studying tour in Nantes, it was time to jet off to Paris, our dream city. Our first stop was the Palace of Versailles, and wow, it was like stepping into a myth. Frescoes were everywhere telling these epic Greek stories. It was like time travel, and our guide made it come alive. On the bus back, we couldn't stop yapping about how cool it was.
Lyu Tianyi, Financial Technology, Class 1 of 2022: We left the subtropical monsoon of Shenzhen and bam, we were in the temperate maritime climate of Nantes. People used to say that you are where you live, and being here, it's like catching the French passion for life. People were all warm and easygoing, just like the weather here. They savored every moment, from chats on street corners to dancing on the streets. It was pure French magic. You knew, Shenzhen had got its fast-paced groove, and Nantes was nothing like Shenzhen. In just a few days, this city had cast a spell on us.
Guo Baoni, Financial Technology, Class 2 of 2022: Between the bustling Paris and Nantes, the latter is like a cozy blanket of friendliness. Teachers were like a mix of funny and wise, and our classmates were the best, always ready to help out. The courses were mind-blowing, all new and exciting. Heaps of thanks for the institute to hook us up with this adventure. It's like a dreamy midsummer night, filled with laughs and good times.
Program Overview
This Summer Study Tripwas organized by Shenzhen University’s esteemed international partner, Audencia Business School in France. Spanning from July 8th to July 18th, this immersive ten-day experience weaved together a curated blend of specialized coursework, enriching French cultural exposure, and insightful field excursions. It opened a gateway for students from Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute to engage globally, expand their perspectives, and enhance their life experiences. Student participation in this Summer Study Tripresulted from a rigorous selection process that considered their English proficiency, GPA qualifications, and individual campus involvements, among other criteria. Furthermore, each student joining this program would be granted a scholarship courtesy of the institute.
Stay tuned to theSAFTI's official channels for further details, as Shenzhen University and Audencia Business School remain steadfast in their commitment to delivering exceptional exchange, study abroad, and Summer Study Tripopportunities.
